–not your momma's goulash–

Beignet Skirt

In a slow attempt to update my current wardrobe with some home-sewn flair, I made myself a skirt!

This is the beignet skirt from Colette Patterns. A high-waisted straight skirt with 12 buttons (and…12 buttonholes…yikes ) up the front and a skinny belt. This skirt could also be referred to as “the 7 week skirt” or “the skirt that took 4-eva” or the “put down that beignet and get to sewing me already” skirt. Hmmm….do I look knock-kneed up there? Yikes.

I mean, I know I’ve been a little busy… but I cut my pieces out a month and a half ago, and they sat around collecting dust for a bit. Here and there, I got around to sewing it together in the last couple of weeks. During a couple nights of the Hatfields & McCoys mini-series with my hubs, I blew through most of it. All that killing and backwoods family drama motivated me I guess?

I made a size up from what I normally wear since I’m post-baby. And like some other folks out there, in the end I decided to forego sewing the belt together since I honestly could not stand to look at my fabric anymore! I found an inexpensive braided red one at Old Navy instead- and I think it probably looks better this way.

Oh, hello split ends!

Wow. I need to make an appointment to shave my head this week. STAT.

Anywho, I would say this was an elaborate project for me- but, as with all sewing patterns I’ve tried, I learned a heckofalot! Made some side seam pockets for the first time, and also learned how to face and line a skirt- this being the hardest part of the process for me, since 1. I bought cheap yellow lining fabric that showed it’s cheapness in many ways…. and 2. once I went to sew my skirt shell to the lining, none of my seams matched up. My shell was wider than the lining… so, I took in a few of the shell seams and did the best I could with getting it to match up, but it wasn’t without belting out some of this: @#*$*^*#%&^!!!

There’s also a point where you have to attach the lining to the facing at a major curve. See below. I just had to go super slow… and it came out okay, but probably not perfect.

My buttons were a small splurge- but I really love the jade color. I was a little hesitant to use them because maybe they don’t quite “go”…but i’m happy I did. I’m not all for “matchy matchy” things anyway, and plus I need more color in my closet like nobody’s business.

I will say, this pattern was challenging for me, but defintely well-written… I plan on making another someday, maybe for Fall… though I’d choose a heavier weight cotton. Mine here is almost linen-like, and I did have some slight issues (mainly when it came to the buttonholes) because of that.

And like I said, I used cheapo lining material (don’t be like me- do a little research on lining options!) but I do like the little glimpse of yellow poking out of the pocket.

Now. Can i blatently show off the REAL (adorable) reason this took me so long to make?

Great skirt! You’ve inspired me to not just trash a couple projects I’m working on that aren’t coming together quite right. Hello seam ripper! And with both that gorgeous baby and adorable (and no doubt quite active) toddler no wonder it took 7 weeks!

Karen, my seam ripper had some serious use in this project. I actually had to seam rip most of the lining at one point since i sewed the pieces together the wrong way… and my cheap lining fabric just started ripping into oblivion!

Too much adorable-ness in one post for me! Gosh I love your version, you never see the beignet made up in a print and it’s so stunning. I love how you’ve styled it too with the belt and the navy tank and the long hair. Hey split ends or no split ends I’m suffering long hair envy just looking at those luscious locks!

The skirt it beautiful..but i want to talk about how HOT you are mama! You just had baby #3??? I don’t see any baby weight or split ends. I’m super impressed…I have yet to sew anything for my self…only kids stuff here.

I just made the Kelly Skirt (http://megannielsen.com/collections/sewing-patterns/products/kelly-skirt-sewing-pattern) out of this same fabric for my friend. I pre-washed it before I sewed it and then I washed it again after I sewed it all up and the colors bled. There are red spots all over the skirt. I don’t know if it’s because I left the skirt wet in the washing machine for a couple hours before I hung it up to dry. Anyway, just a heads up.